Panasonic launches armoured laptop range

Electronics group Panasonic will launch its next generation of
armour-plated notebook computers, which have been built to
withstand rough outdoor use and constant vehicle motion.

This is the Toughbook's fifth incarnation since Panasonic
introduced its first laptop designed to US military specifications
for use in the battlefield more than a decade ago.

The latest range features convertible tablet PC and notebook
models that are made to stand up against drops, water and moisture
exposure, temperature extremes and constant vibration.

A wireless display version - which excludes a hard drive and
connects wirelessly to a network hub - is also due to hit the
market.

While the reinforced features add a substantial price premium to
standard portable computer technology, Australian Toughbook product
manager John Penn said businesses were becoming increasingly aware
of the recurring costs of notebook failures.

"People are now starting to understand the `total cost of
ownership' argument," he said.

"Put aside the fact that a unit costs X when you first buy it,
what is it actually going to cost me over the three or four year
period that I deploy that in the field?

"What are going to be the warranty costs and out of warranty
costs and what's going to be the cost if I send a unit away for
repair and downtime?"